TEHRAN/ISLAMABAD – The Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the newly signed trilateral defense deal between Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan indicates a shift in regional security perceptions.

Spokesperson for the ministry Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks at a weekly press conference in Tehran while commenting on Iran's stance and strategy toward the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement signed in the Saudi city of Makkah on Friday.

The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement stipulates that any armed attack against one of the three would be considered an attack against them all.

"This development is a sign of a change in the perception of the countries of the region," Baghaei said. "Given the developments over the past two or three years, regional countries have realized that security is not a commodity that can be purchased from dealers of false security."

He emphasized that Iran sees no reason to be concerned about the deal, given its "deep" religious, historical and civilizational bonds with each one of the deal's signatories.

Phone call between Pakistani, Iranian foreign ministers

In a telephone conversation held on Monday, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed regional and international developments, particularly efforts to promote peace and stability.

According to a statement from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar briefed Araghchi on the recently signed Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, highlighting its objectives of strengthening strategic cooperation and contributing to regional peace and security.

Araghchi thanked Dar for sharing the key aspects of the agreement.

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The two ministers agreed to remain in close contact on matters of mutual interest, the statement added.